A different kind of comedy

Hawkeye will present ‘A Little Murder Never Hurt Anybody’

August 11, 2013

The Hawkeye Community Theatre will offer a different kind of comedy this month when the cast of Ron Bernas's "A Little Murder Never Hurt Anybody" takes the stage Tuesday.

The two-act comedy focuses on the crazy life of the otherwise wealthy Perry family, who seems to continually experience the misfortune of the unusual deaths of friends and family members at their home over the course of a year.

A bored, rich Matthew Perry, played by Jeff Bluml, promises to kill his bored wife, Julia, so he can move on in life and have a little fun like his recently widowed friend, while his wife plays along. In each "attempt" at her death, other victims, such as Julia's garden club friends, seem to die instead.

Article Photos

-Messenger photo by Emilie Neslon-JensonDonald Baxter, left, played by Joe Sutter, Bunny Perry, played by Kaitlyn Daisy and Buttram, played by Darren Jackson, rehearse a scene from “A Little Murder Never Hurt Anybody” at Hawkeye Community Theatre. The show opens Tuesday at 7 p.m.

-Messenger photo by Emilie Neslon-JensonButtram, the butler, played by Darren Jackson, tells the story of his failed marriage to Julia Perry, played by Alyssa Sparks, in the Hawkeye Community Theatre production of “A Little Murder Never Hurt Anybody.”

"It reminds me of the old black and white movies from the 1930s and '40s," said director Jim Von Dolteren. "I was looking for something for a small cast, being a firsttime director, and I just found this one to be really funny."

As the mysterious deaths of family and friends continue, the Perrys' daughter, Bunny, a dim-witted emotional bride-to-be played by Kaitlyn Daisy, continually has to rewrite her guest list, often contemplating calling off her upcoming wedding to her fiance, Donald Baxter, played by Joe Sutter.

"Bunny is just kind of an airhead," said Daisy, who is appearing in her first Hawkeye show. "She has no idea what she is doing. She is a bride-to-be who wants so badly to get married, but at the same time would be glad to call off her wedding."

Daisy said she relates well to her character, having played similar roles in speech and school plays.

"I actually like playing that kind of role; I just kind of fall into it," she said. "She is bubbly, the happy character."

The family meets Detective Plotnik, played by Dave Pettinger, who suspects everyone in the case, but is always wrong.

"Plotnik is just the dumb guy," said Pettinger. "That's why they're always referring to him as the idiot detective. He thinks he has things figured out, but he figures them completely wrong."

Pettinger's favorite part of the show includes a scene where he becomes the victim of Matthew Perry.

"Having to act dead , that is a hilarious scene," he said.

As the plot reaches its peak, Donald walks in on the middle of a conversation between Julia and the family's butler, Buttram, where he confesses the love he still feels for his long lost ex-wife. Donald suspects Julia may be the prime suspect in the suspicious deaths, plotting to kill her own husband.

Von Dolteren said he is happy with the way the cast has come together to make the show happen.

"We are very fortunate to have a good mix of people in the show," he said. "We have Alyssa and Jeff, they are staples on the Hawkeye stage; and we have some first-timers and a few who have been in one or two other productions. The chemistry is spot on with them. They all act together so well."

"I've really enjoyed the cast," said Daisy. "Everyone has been so much fun to work with."

"They are a very dedicated cast," said Jackson.

The production will run Tuesday through Saturday at 7 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Admission is $10. Tickets are available at the door.